LSU will have a new starting kicker in 2016.
Trent Domingue announced Wednesday on Twitter that he will not return to the Tigers for his fifth year because his “scholarship was not renewed.” Domingue, who was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist in 2015, says he will now turn his focus to joining another program for his final season of eligibility. He already has his degree from LSU, so he will be eligible immediately at a new program as a graduate transfer.
— Trent Domingue (@TrentDomingue) July 13, 2016
Domingue, who joined the LSU team in 2012 as a walk-on, was put on scholarship before the 2015 season. He first saw the field in 2014 as a kickoff specialist, when he registered 28 touchbacks on 51 kickoffs. He also was 2-of-4 on field goals and 6-for-6 on extra points that season.
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In 2015, Domingue hit 13-of-17 field goal attempts and was nearly perfect – 59-for-60 on extra points – as the team’s No. 1 kicker. He made his first 10 attempts of the season and had a long of 45 yards. He also scored on a fake field goal in a win over Florida.
With Domingue out of the picture, LSU has a few options on the table. Colby Delahoussaye, the starter in 2013 and 2014, is still on the roster. He converted on 24-of-29 field goal attempts in those two seasons, but fell behind Domingue late in 2014. Junior Cameron Gamble, who split kickoff duties with Domingue, is another option, as are redshirt freshman Jack Gonsoulin and true freshman Connor Culp. Culp is a scholarship player.
Ultimately, it looks like Domingue’s departure comes down to a numbers game. The NCAA allows only 85 scholarship players to be on a team at one time. According to the Advocate, LSU is hoping for the return of defensive lineman Travonte Valentine, who is taking classes at a community college in efforts to qualify academically.
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Two other 2016 signees, defensive linemen Edwin Alexander and Andre Anthony, are also working through eligibility issues and have yet to enroll.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
